Infestation of Honeybee Colonies withTropilaelaps, and its Control

Abstract

In a serious attack of the mite Tropilaelaps clareae on Apis mellifera colonies at Ludhiana, India, up to 50% of the brood was killed in the late larval and pupal stages, and colony populations dwindled rapidly. Preliminary observations are given on the biology of the mite. Honeybee larvae are killed by the nymphs feeding on them, or (if attacked later) they develop into deformed adults which are evicted from the hive. A badly infested colony is left with practically no brood and it may abscond ultimately, the bees carrying the adult mites with them. After the mites have transformed into adults they remain just under the cell cappings and are exposed when these are removed. Terramycin and fumigations with chlorobenzilate did not give effective control, but a light dusting with sulphur every month controlled infestations completely.